On Zippin's embedding theorem of Banach spaces into Banach spaces with bases (Q2359944)

The classical theorem of \textit{M. Zippin} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 310, No. 1, 371--379 (1988; Zbl 0706.46015)] states that any Banach space \(X\) with a separable dual embeds into a Banach space with a shrinking basis. Moreover, if \(X\) is reflexive, it embeds into a reflexive Banach space with a basis. Extensions of Zippin's theorem concern the control over the Szlenk index of the constructed superspace and its dual ([\textit{E. Odell} et al., Stud. Math. 183, No. 1, 63--97 (2007; Zbl 1138.46005)] and [\textit{D. Freeman} et al., Fundam. Math. 205, No. 2, 161--177 (2009; Zbl 1188.46007)], [\textit{R. Causey}, Stud. Math. 216, No. 2, 149--178 (2013; Zbl 1405.46007); Fundam. Math. 228, No. 2, 153--171 (2015; Zbl 1334.46011)]). In the other direction, \textit{W. B. Johnson} and \textit{B.-T. Zheng} used the unconditional tree property (any normalized weak null tree admits an unconditional branch) and its \(w^*\)-variant to provide an unconditional basis in the constructed superspaces [Duke Math. J. 141, No. 3, 505--518 (2008; Zbl 1146.46003); Isr. J. Math. 185, 375--388 (2011; Zbl 1263.46012)]. The main theorem of the paper under review is the following. Theorem. Let \(X\) be a Banach space with separable dual. Then \(X\) embeds into a Banach space \(W\) with a shrinking basis \((w_i)\) such that {\parindent=0.7cm \begin{itemize}\item[(a)] the Szlenk indices of \(W\) and \(X\) are equal, \item[(b)] if \(X\) is reflexive, then \(W\) is also reflexive and the Szlenk indices of \(W^*\) and \(X^*\) are equal, \item[(c)] if \(X\) has the \(w^*\)-unconditional tree property, then \((w_i)\) is unconditional. \end{itemize}} The parts (a) and (b) strengthen the previous results and answer a question of A. Pełczyński. The author follows the approach of the second of the papers of Johnson and Zheng listed above, extending and modifying the Markushevich basis of the original space \(X\) in order to build its superspace rather than, as in the other papers, starting with an application of Zippin's theorem. This method allows for constructing a superspace which is much closer to \(X\) than in the previous approach and provides, in particular, a tight control over the Szlenk index of the superspace and its dual. The construction starts in the setting of a Markushevich basis and its multidimensional version introduced in the paper, i.e., the finite-dimensional Markushevich decomposition (FMD), a tool for building an intermediate space with a finite-dimensional decomposition (FDD) and finally the desired superspace with a basis; the FDD version of the main theorem is one of the central steps of the proof of the main result. The proof involves also the study of several ordinal-valued indices defined on the trees and Schreier and fine Schreier families as useful tools in measuring these indices, as well as infinite asymptotic games with respect to FMD instead of FDD, used in the proof of the Part c) of the main result. The paper forms a substantial step toward a better understanding of one of the important questions on the structure of Banach spaces, that is the possibility of embedding a Banach space into a space with stronger properties, in particular with a basis. The proof of the main result suggests further research on other properties of the initial space that could be inherited by its superspace built with the presented method.